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Guo JW, Reblin M, Tay D, Ellington L, Beck AC, Cloyes KG. Patterns of stress and support in social support networks of in-home hospice cancer family caregivers. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 2021; 38:3121-3141. [PMID: 34898795 PMCID: PMC8664070 DOI: 10.1177/02654075211024743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Family caregivers of home hospice cancer patients often experience burden and distress, which can be mitigated by perceived social support. However, less attention has been paid to the non-family sources of support within social networks, or to how sources of support may also be sources of stress. We describe support and stress in social networks of hospice family caregivers and identify caregiving characteristics associated with classes identified in our data. We collected demographic and psychosocial self-report data from family caregivers providing in-home hospice care for advanced cancer patients (N = 90). Caregivers also reported perceived support and stress from specific family and non-family relationships. We identified three classes with unique patterns of stress and support within caregivers' support networks using a latent class analysis. Classes include: 1) high support, low stress across family and non-family network members ("supportive"; 53% of caregivers); 2) high support, high stress across family and non-family network ("ambivalent maximizers"; 26%); and 3) high support, high stress across family network only ("family-focused ambivalent"; 21%). Caregivers in the ambivalent maximizer class reported more burden than caregivers in the supportive class (p = .024). This is one of the first studies to systematically explore the role of non-family support, as well as how stress and support co-occur within relationships and across networks. As informal support networks of hospice family caregivers are complex and multifaceted, understanding the patterns of support and stress across various network members is essential to offer services to more effectively manage caregiver burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wen Guo
- University of Utah, College of Nursing, 10 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84112
| | - Maija Reblin
- Moffitt Cancer Centre, Health Outcomes and Behavior, 12902 Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, USA 33612
| | - Djin Tay
- University of Utah, College of Nursing, 10 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84112
| | - Lee Ellington
- University of Utah, College of Nursing, 10 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84112
| | - Anna C. Beck
- 1. University of Utah School of Medicine, Medical Oncology, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84132; 2. University of Utah Health Huntsman Cancer Institute, Supportive Oncology and Survivorship, 1950 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84112
| | - Kristin G Cloyes
- University of Utah, College of Nursing, 10 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84112
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Wen FH, Chou WC, Hou MM, Su PJ, Shen WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Tang ST. Depressive-Symptom Trajectories From End-of-Life Caregiving Through the First 2 Bereavement Years for Family Caregivers of Advanced Cancer Patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 62:699-708. [PMID: 33794300 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers' distinct depressive-symptom trajectories are understudied and have been examined independently during end-of-life (EOL) caregiving or bereavement, making it difficult to validate two competing hypotheses (wear-and-tear vs. relief) of caregiving effects on bereavement. Existing studies may also miss short-term heterogeneity in depressive symptoms during the immediate postloss period due to lengthy delays in the first postloss assessment. PURPOSE This secondary-analysis study examined distinct depressive-symptom trajectories for caregivers of advanced cancer patients from EOL caregiving through the first 2 bereavement years with closely spaced assessments. METHODS Depressive symptoms were measured monthly during EOL caregiving and 1, 3, 6, 13, 18, and 24 months postloss among 661 caregivers using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale. Depressive-symptom trajectories were identified using latent-class growth analysis while controlling for gender and age. RESULTS We identified seven distinct depressive-symptom trajectories (prevalence) characterized by the timing, intensity, and duration of depressive symptoms: minimal-impact resilience (20.4%), recovery (34.0%), preloss-grief only (21.6%), delayed symptomatic (9.1%), relief (5.9%), prolonged symptomatic (6.5%), and chronically persistent distressed (2.5%). CONCLUSION Caregivers of advanced cancer patients responded heterogeneously to the stresses of EOL caregiving and bereavement. The majority of caregivers was resilient while providing caregiving and quickly rebounded to healthy levels of psychological functioning during bereavement, whereas a minority experienced delayed-symptomatic, prolonged-symptomatic, or chronically-persistent-distressing depressive-symptom trajectories. Linking caregivers' psychological experiences from caregiving through bereavement by closely spaced assessments can more comprehensively illustrate their depressive-symptom trajectories, which confirm both the wear-and-tear and relief hypotheses, and help in targeting interventions for distinct depressive-symptom trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Mo Hou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Jung Su
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
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53
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Wen FH, Chou WC, Hou MM, Su PJ, Shen WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Hsu MH, Tang ST. Associations of death-preparedness states with bereavement outcomes for family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients. Psychooncology 2021; 31:450-459. [PMID: 34549848 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Death preparedness involves cognitive prognostic awareness and emotional acceptance of a relative's death. Effects of retrospectively assessed cognitive prognostic awareness and emotional preparedness for patient death have been individually investigated among bereaved family caregivers. We aimed to prospectively examine associations of caregivers' death-preparedness states, determined by conjoint cognitive prognostic awareness and emotional preparedness for death, with bereavement outcomes. METHODS Associations of caregivers' death-preparedness states (no-death-preparedness, cognitive-death-preparedness-only, emotional-death-preparedness-only, and sufficient-death-preparedness states) at last preloss assessment with bereavement outcomes over the first two bereavement years were evaluated among 332 caregivers of advanced cancer patients using hierarchical linear models with the logit-transformed posterior probability for each death-preparedness state. RESULTS Caregivers with a higher logit-transformed posterior probability for sufficient death-preparedness state reported less prolonged-grief symptoms, lower likelihoods of severe depressive symptoms and heightened decisional regret, and better mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Caregivers with a higher logit-transformed posterior probability for no-death-preparedness state reported less prolonged-grief symptoms, a lower likelihood of severe depressive symptoms, and better mental HRQOL. A higher logit-transformed posterior probability for cognitive-death-preparedness-only state was associated with bereaved caregivers' higher likelihood of heightened decisional regret, whereas that for emotional-death-preparedness-only state was not associated with caregivers' bereavement outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers' bereavement outcomes were associated with their preloss death-preparedness states, except for physical health-related QOL. Interventions focused on not only cultivating caregivers' accurate prognostic awareness but also adequately preparing them emotionally for their relative's forthcoming death are actionable opportunities for high-quality end-of-life care and are urgently warranted to facilitate caregivers' bereavement adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Mo Hou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Jung Su
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Mei Huang Hsu
- School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
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Wen FH, Chou WC, Hsieh CH, Chen JS, Chang WC, Tang ST. Distinct Death-Preparedness States by Combining Cognitive and Emotional Preparedness for Death and Their Evolution for Family Caregivers of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Over Their Last 6 Months of Life. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 62:503-511. [PMID: 33561490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.01.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT To identify caregivers' death-preparedness states by combining cognitive and emotional preparedness for their loved one's death as well as their evolution over cancer patients' last 6 months, which have never been explored. METHODS Death-preparedness states and their evolution were examined by hidden Markov modeling among 393 caregivers of cancer patients. RESULTS Four death-preparedness states were identified: no death preparedness, cognitive death preparedness only, emotional death preparedness only, and sufficient death preparedness. Caregivers in the no-death-preparedness state had neither accurate cognitive prognostic awareness (PA) nor adequate emotional preparedness for death. Caregivers in the sufficient-death-preparedness state reported accurate PA and adequate emotional preparedness for death. In the cognitive- and emotional-death-preparedness-only states, caregivers were accurately aware of the patient's prognosis and adequately emotionally prepared for his/her forthcoming death only, respectively. Prevalence of the sufficient-death-preparedness state fluctuated within a narrow range (40.8%-43.2%) over the patient's last six months. Proportions of caregivers decreased in the emotional-death-preparedness-only (19.5%-6.5%) and no-death-preparedness (21.0%-8.2%) states, whereas prevalence of the cognitive-death-preparedness-only state increased substantially (16.3%-44.4%) to become the most prevalent state as death approached. CONCLUSION Caregivers of cancer patients heterogeneously experienced combined cognitive and emotional preparedness for death. About 40% of caregivers consistently had sufficient death preparedness over their loved one's dying process. Evaluating these different aspects of death preparedness could be an important approach in high-quality end-of-life care by not only cultivating caregivers' cognitive PA, but also facilitating their emotional preparedness for the patient's death, thus helping caregivers prepare well for their loved one's forthcoming death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University, School of Nursing, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Corpora M. The privilege of a good death: An intersectional perspective on dying a good death in America. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2021; 62:773-779. [PMID: 34467998 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnab130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
All individuals deserve an equitable opportunity to achieve a good death. Unfortunately, access to end-of-life care and services is largely unequal on the basis of race, gender, class, and other social identities. We need to understand how individuals with multiple marginalized identities face different access in attaining a good death and use this knowledge to bring equity to end-of- life care. The conceptual framework for this argument derives from intersectionality theory and the existing disparities in end-of-life care. This argument sheds light on the relationship between intersectionality and a good death, demonstrated by a case vignette, and suggests that the more marginalized social identities one has, the more difficult their access to a good death. Because it is particularly important to both recognize and actively combat these inequities, I offer three practical strategies for end-of-life researchers and practitioners. For the sake of our increasingly diverse population, advancements in end-of-life care must be made to facilitate a good death for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Corpora
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA
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56
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Plick NP, Ankuda CK, Mair CA, Husain M, Ornstein KA. A national profile of kinlessness at the end of life among older adults: Findings from the Health and Retirement Study. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:2143-2151. [PMID: 33880751 PMCID: PMC8373783 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The majority of end-of-life (EOL) caregiving is provided by unpaid family members. An increasing number of older adults are kinless (without close family/partnerships) and may have insufficient caregiver support to remain at home at the EOL. We therefore determined what proportion of older adults are kinless at the EOL and assessed the association of kinlessness with EOL care. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of Health and Retirement Study decedents, 2002-2015. SETTING US population-based sample. PARTICIPANTS Decedents age 51+ who died within 1 year of interview (n = 3844) and subset who are community-dwelling at last interview. MEASUREMENTS Kinlessness was defined as lacking a spouse/partner and children. Primary outcome measure was location of death. Secondary outcome measures included contextual EOL measures such as symptom burden and caregiver support. RESULTS A total of 7.4% of decedents were kinless at the EOL. Kinless decedents were more likely to be female, nonwhite, enrolled in Medicaid, living alone, or living in a nursing home prior to death. Although community-dwelling kinless decedents received fewer hours of caregiving per week at the EOL (34.7 vs. 56.2, p < 0.05) and were more likely to die in nursing homes (18.1% vs. 10.3%, p < 0.05) than those with kin, they did not have higher EOL symptom burden or treatment intensity (e.g., intensive care unit use). In multinomial logistic analysis controlling for demographic and illness characteristics, kinless decedents living in the community before death had a twofold increased risk of dying in the nursing home (odds ratio [OR] = 2.02 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09-3.72]) and a trend toward increased risk of hospital death (OR = 1.60 [95% CI = 0.96-2.69]) versus home setting. CONCLUSIONS Kinless individuals are more likely to die in nursing homes, even if they are living in the community in their last year of life. Expanded long-term care services and policies are needed to enable all older adults regardless of their family support systems to receive high-quality EOL care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie P Plick
- Medical Student Research Office, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Claire K Ankuda
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christine A Mair
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mohammed Husain
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine A Ornstein
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Moss KO, Douglas SL, Lipson AR, Blackstone E, Williams D, Aaron S, Wills CE. Understanding of Health-related Decision-making Terminology Among Cancer Caregivers. West J Nurs Res 2021; 43:649-659. [PMID: 33063642 PMCID: PMC8050115 DOI: 10.1177/0193945920965238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Research on understanding health-related decision-making terminology among family caregivers of adults living with advanced cancer is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine interpretations of the meaning of health-related decision-making terminology such as quality-of-life and end-of-life among caregivers of adults living with advanced cancer as a basis for improved understanding of caregiver decision support needs. Interviews were conducted with a purposive sub-sample of 10 caregivers of adults diagnosed with advanced cancer who completed a longitudinal, descriptive study (NRO14856) of factors influencing cancer care decisions. Audio transcripts were analyzed using qualitative descriptive methods. Caregivers described interpretations of the meaning and process of decision-making and decision-related distress. Caregivers were uncertain about the meaning of end-of-life-related terminology, and a placed high value on quality-of-life and faith/spirituality in the decision-making process. Improvements in information and decision support interventions are needed to better support caregivers and subsequently patients towards informed cancer care decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen O Moss
- Center for Healthy Aging, Self-Management and Complex Care, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sara L Douglas
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Amy R Lipson
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Eric Blackstone
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Dionne Williams
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Siobhan Aaron
- Interdisciplinary Training in Cancer, Caregiving, and End-of-Life Care, College of Nursing, University of Utah, USA
| | - Celia E Wills
- Center for Healthy Aging, Self-Management and Complex Care, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Luth EA, Russell DJ, Xu JC, Lauder B, Ryvicker MB, Dignam RR, Baughn R, Bowles KH, Prigerson HG. Survival in hospice patients with dementia: the effect of home hospice and nurse visits. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:1529-1538. [PMID: 33608869 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospice patients with dementia are at increased risk for live discharge and long lengths of stay (>180 days), causing patient and family caregiver stress and burden. The location and timing of clinician visits are important factors influencing whether someone dies as expected, in hospice, or experiences a live discharge or long length of stay. OBJECTIVE Examine how home hospice and nurse visit frequency relate to dying in hospice within the Medicare-intended 6-month period. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Non-profit hospice agency. PARTICIPANTS Three thousand eight hundred and thirty seven patients with dementia who received hospice services from 2013 to 2017. METHODS Multivariable survival analyses examined the effects of receiving home hospice (vs. nursing home) and timing of nurse visits on death within 6 months of hospice enrollment, compared to live discharge or long length of stay. Models adjust for relevant demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS Thirty-nine percent (39%) of patients experienced live discharge or long length of stay. Home hospice patients were more likely to experience live discharge or long length of stays (HR for death: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.69-0.86, p < 0.001). Frequency of nurse visits was inversely associated with live discharge and long lengths of stay (HR for death: 2.87, 95%CI: 2.47-3.33, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Nearly 40% of patients with dementia in our study experienced live discharge or a long length of stay. Additional research is needed to understand why home hospice may result in live discharge or a long length of stay for patients with dementia. Nurse visits were associated with death, suggesting their responsiveness to deteriorating patient health. Hospice guidelines may need to permit longer stays so community-dwelling patients with dementia, a growing segment of hospice patients, can remain continuously enrolled in hospice and avoid burden and costs associated with live discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Luth
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - David J Russell
- Center for Home Care & Policy Research, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Sociology, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jiehui Cici Xu
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bonnie Lauder
- Hospice and Palliative Care Services, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Miriam B Ryvicker
- Center for Home Care & Policy Research, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ritchell R Dignam
- Hospice and Palliative Care Services, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rosemary Baughn
- Hospice and Palliative Care Services, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn H Bowles
- Center for Home Care & Policy Research, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, New York, USA.,Biobehavioral Health Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Lei L, Gerlach LB, Powell VD, Maust DT. Caregiver support and place of death among older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:1221-1230. [PMID: 33590479 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES As home becomes the most common place of death in the United States, information about caregiver support and place of death is critical to improve patient and caregiver experiences at end of life. We seek to examine (1) the association between family care availability and place of death; and (2) caregiving intensity associated with place of death. DESIGN 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving; nationally representative cross-sectional study of deceased older adults and last-month-of-life (LML) caregivers. SETTING United States; all places of deaths. PARTICIPANTS Three-hundred and seventy-five decedents and 267 LML caregivers. MEASUREMENTS Place of death (home, hospital, and nursing or hospice facility), family care availability (spouse/partner, household size, number of daughters and sons), caregiving intensity (hours of help provided at LML and a binary indicator for high care-related emotional difficulty). RESULTS 38.9% of older adults died at home, followed by hospital (33.1%), and nursing or hospice facility (28.0%). In an adjusted multinomial logistic regression, decedents with larger household size (odds ratio [OR]: 0.441; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.269-0.724) and more daughters (OR: 0.743 [95% CI: 0.575-0.958]) had lower odds of dying in nursing or hospice facility relative to dying at home. For older adults who died at home, caregivers provided 209.8 h of help at LML. In contrast, when death occurred in nursing or hospice facility, caregivers provided 91.6 fewer hours of help, adjusted for decedent and caregiver characteristics. Dying in hospital was associated with higher odds of caregiver emotional difficulty relative to home deaths (OR: 4.093 [95% CI: 1.623-10.323]). CONCLUSIONS Household size and number of daughters are important determinants of place of death. Despite dying at home being associated with more hours of direct caregiving; caregiver emotional strain was experienced as higher for hospital deaths. Better support services for end-of-life caregivers might improve patient and caregiver experiences for home and hospital deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Lei
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lauren B Gerlach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Victoria D Powell
- Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Donovan T Maust
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Toles M, Colón-Emeric C, Hanson LC, Naylor M, Weinberger M, Covington J, Preisser JS. Transitional care from skilled nursing facilities to home: study protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial. Trials 2021; 22:120. [PMID: 33546737 PMCID: PMC7863858 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05068-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Skilled nursing facility (SNF) patients are medically complex with multiple, advanced chronic conditions. They are dependent on caregivers and have experienced recent acute illnesses. Among SNF patients, the rate of mortality or acute care use is over 50% within 90 days of discharge, yet these patients and their caregivers often do not receive the quality of transitional care that prepares them to manage serious illnesses at home. Methods The study will test the efficacy of Connect-Home, a successfully piloted transitional care intervention targeting seriously ill SNF patients discharged to home and their caregivers. The study setting will be SNFs in North Carolina, USA, and, following discharge, in patients’ home. Using a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial design, six SNFs will transition at randomly assigned intervals from standard discharge planning to the Connect-Home intervention. The SNFs will contribute data for patients (N = 360) and their caregivers (N = 360), during both the standard discharge planning and Connect-Home time periods. Connect-Home is a two-step intervention: (a) SNF staff create an individualized Transition Plan of Care to manage the patient’s illness at home; and (b) a Connect-Home Activation RN visits the patient’s home to implement the written Transition Plan of Care. A key feature of the trial includes training of the SNF and Home Care Agency staff to complete the transition plan rather than using study interventionists. The primary outcomes will be patient preparedness for discharge and caregiver preparedness for caregiving role. With the proposed sample and using a two-sided test at the 5% significance level, we have 80% power to detect a 18% increase in the patient’s preparedness for discharge score. We will employ linear mixed models to compare observations between intervention and usual care periods to assess primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes include (a) patients’ quality of life, functional status, and days of acute care use and (b) caregivers’ burden and distress. Discussion Study results will determine the efficacy of an intervention using existing clinical staff to (a) improve transitional care for seriously ill SNF patients and their caregivers, (b) prevent avoidable days of acute care use in a population with persistent risks from chronic conditions, and (c) advance the science of transitional care within end-of-life and palliative care trajectories of SNF patients and their caregivers. While this study protocol was being implemented, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred and this protocol was revised to mitigate COVID-related risks of patients, their caregivers, SNF staff, and the study team. Thus, this paper includes additional material describing these modifications. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03810534. Registered on January 18, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Toles
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - C Colón-Emeric
- School of Medicine and the Durham VA GRECC, Duke University, Durham, USA
| | - L C Hanson
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - M Naylor
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - M Weinberger
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - J Covington
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - J S Preisser
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
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Nouri S, Ritchie C, Chen P, Volow A, Li B, Tellez I, Sudore RL. Supporting In-Home Caregivers in Symptom Assessment of Frail Older Adults with Serious Illness: A Pilot Study. J Palliat Med 2020; 23:1631-1638. [PMID: 32456540 PMCID: PMC7698995 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Many older adults with serious illness who depend on others for care have symptoms that are difficult to manage. Supporting caregivers in symptom assessment (SA) may reduce suffering. Objective: Pilot an SA-Toolkit for caregivers to assess older adults' symptoms at home. Design: Pilot study. Setting/Subjects: English-speaking patients ≥65 years of age and their caregivers from a home-based geriatrics program in San Francisco. Measurements: With multiple stakeholder input, we created a SA-Toolkit consisting of illustrations depicting symptoms, validated Faces Scale, and easy-to-use tracking system with phone numbers of family/friends/clinicians. At baseline and one week, we assessed change in patients' symptoms and caregivers' self-efficacy with SA (5-point scale) using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. We assessed acceptability at one week. Results: Eleven patient/caregiver dyads participated in the study. Patients were 84.7 years old (SD 5.7), 81.8% women, 27.3% non-white. From baseline to one week, mean number of symptoms decreased (3.7 [1.5] to 2.6 [1.8], p = 0.03). Specifically, patients with pain decreased from 63.6% to 36.4%, anxiety 54.6% to 18.2%, depression 45.5% to 27.3%, and loneliness 36.4% to 18.2%. Caregiver self-efficacy increased (4.6 [0.3] to 4.8 [0.3], p = 0.09). Patients found the symptom illustrations easy to use (8.7 on 10-point scale), but the Faces Scale less so (7.3/10) because it provided "too many choices." Caregivers liked the SA-Toolkit because it was easy to use; nearly all (10/11, 90%) would recommend it to others. Conclusions: The SA-Toolkit resulted in decreased symptom burden among patients and higher caregiver self-efficacy in SA. The SA-Toolkit is acceptable and may help reduce suffering in frail, older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nouri
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christine Ritchie
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pei Chen
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Aiesha Volow
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Brookelle Li
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ismael Tellez
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Sudore
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Eaton England AL, Ritchie CS, Mickler A, Perissinotto CM, Garrigues SK, Leff B, Sheehan OC, Harrison KL. Attitudes of Homebound Older Adults and Their Caregivers Toward Research and Participation as Research Advisors. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2020; 61:1202-1210. [DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaa189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Homebound older adults and their caregivers have not historically been engaged as advisors in patient-centered outcomes research. This study aimed to understand the attitudes of homebound older adults and their caregivers toward research and participation as research advisors.
Research Design and Methods
Descriptive thematic analysis of semistructured interviews conducted with 30 homebound older adults and caregivers recruited from home-based medical care practices. Interview questions addressed opinions on research and preferences for engaging as research advisors.
Results
Of 30 participants, 22 were female, 17 were people of color, and 11 had Medicaid. Two themes emerged related to perceptions of research overall: (a) utility of research and (b) relevance of research. Overall, participants reported positive attitudes toward research and felt that research could affect people like them. Three themes emerged related to participating as research advisors: (a) motivators, (b) barriers, and (c) preferences. Participants were open to engaging in a variety of activities as research advisors. Most participants were motivated by helping others. Common barriers included time constraints and caregiving responsibilities, and physical barriers for homebound individuals. Participants also reported fears such as lacking the skills or expertise to contribute as advisors. Many were willing to participate if these barriers were accommodated and shared their communication preferences.
Discussion and Implications
Diverse homebound older adults and caregivers are willing to be engaged as research advisors and provided information to inform future engagement strategies. Findings can inform efforts to meet new age-inclusive requirements of the National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Eaton England
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, US
- Department of Psychology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, US
| | - Christine S Ritchie
- The Mongan Institute and the Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, US
| | - Alexandria Mickler
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Center for Transformative Geriatric Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, US
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, US
| | | | - Sarah K Garrigues
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, US
| | - Bruce Leff
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Center for Transformative Geriatric Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, US
| | - Orla C Sheehan
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Center for Transformative Geriatric Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, US
| | - Krista L Harrison
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, US
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, US
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Siddiqui A, Ornstein KA, Ankuda CK. Prevalence of Treatment Burden in the Last Three Years of Life. J Palliat Med 2020; 24:879-886. [PMID: 33185506 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Little is known about the experience of treatment burden, or the difficulties that arise when the treatment workload overwhelms one's ability to take on treatment activities, at the end of life. Objective: We first assessed rates of treatment burden experienced by all older adults in the last three years of life. Among the subset of our sample who had multiple chronic conditions (MCCs), we determined correlates of treatment burden with sociodemographic, health, and caregiving factors. Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). Setting/Subjects: Our sample included 356 adults, aged 65 years and older, who died within three years of completing the 2012 NHATS Treatment Burden Questionnaire. Our MCC cohort included only those in our sample with two or more chronic conditions. Measurements: Our measure of treatment burden included reports of difficulty in managing treatment activities, delays in treatments, or feeling that physicians asked for too much. We built a composite measure to identify burden if participants reported that at least one item occurred sometimes or often. Results: Forty-three percent of older adults in their last three years of life experienced treatment burden. Among individuals with MCCs, bivariate analysis found that treatment burden was associated with being a racial minority and having depression, anxiety, and a cancer diagnosis. These associations were not statistically significant in a multivariable model. Conclusion: Treatment burden is a common experience among older adults regardless of sociodemographic, clinical, and caregiving factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Siddiqui
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine A Ornstein
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Claire K Ankuda
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Ornstein KA, Garrido MM, Bollens-Lund E, Reckrey JM, Husain M, Ferreira KB, Liu SH, Ankuda CK, Kelley AS, Siu AL. The Association Between Income and Incident Homebound Status Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:2594-2601. [PMID: 32776512 PMCID: PMC7722026 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE A large and growing population of older adults with multimorbidity, cognitive impairment, and functional disability live in the community, but many never or rarely leave their homes. Being homebound is associated with decreased access to medical services, poor health outcomes, and increased mortality. Yet, it is unknown what factors, in particular socioeconomic factors, are associated with new onset of homebound status. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between income and risk of becoming homebound. DESIGN Observational cohort study using 2011 to 2018 data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. SETTING Population-based study in the United States. PARTICIPANTS A total of 7,042 initially nonhomebound community-dwelling older adults. EXPOSURE Total annual household income at baseline (in 2011) measured via self-report. OUTCOME Annual measure of homebound status, defined as leaving home an average of 1 d/wk or less. RESULTS Over 7 years, 15.81% of older adults in the lowest income quartile (≤$15,003) became homebound, compared with only 4.64% of those in the highest income quartile (>$60,000). In a competing risks analysis accounting for risks of death and nursing home admission, and adjusted for clinical and demographic characteristics, those in the lowest income quartile had a substantially higher subhazard of becoming homebound than those in the highest income quartile (1.65; 95% confidence interval = 1.20-2.29). Moreover, we see evidence of a gradient in risk of homebound status by income quartile. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Our work demonstrates that financial resources shape the risk of becoming homebound, which is associated with negative health consequences. In the context of existing income disparities, more support is needed to assist older adults with limited financial resources who wish to remain in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Ornstein
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melissa M Garrido
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Evan Bollens-Lund
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer M Reckrey
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mohammed Husain
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katelyn B Ferreira
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shelley H Liu
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Claire K Ankuda
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amy S Kelley
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- James J Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Albert L Siu
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- James J Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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65
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Lowers J, Scardaville M, Hughes S, Preston NJ. Comparison of the experience of caregiving at end of life or in hastened death: a narrative synthesis review. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:154. [PMID: 33032574 PMCID: PMC7545566 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00660-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background End-of-life caregiving frequently is managed by friends and family. Studies on hastened death, including aid in dying or assisted suicide, indicate friends and family also play essential roles before, during, and after death. No studies have compared the experiences of caregivers in hastened and non-hastened death. The study aim is to compare end-of-life and hastened death caregiving experience using Hudson’s modified stress-coping model for palliative caregiving. Method Narrative synthesis of qualitative studies for caregivers at end of life and in hastened death, with 9946 end-of life and 1414 hastened death qualitative, peer-reviewed research articles extracted from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, published between January 1998 and April 2020. Results Forty-two end-of-life caregiving and 12 hastened death caregiving articles met inclusion criteria. In both end-of-life and hastened death contexts, caregivers are motivated to ease patient suffering and may put their own needs or feelings aside to focus on that priority. Hastened death caregivers’ expectation of impending death and the short duration of caregiving may result in less caregiver burden. Acceptance of the patient’s condition, social support, and support from healthcare professionals all appear to improve caregiver experience. However, data on hastened death are limited. Conclusion Caregivers in both groups sought closeness with the patient and reported satisfaction at having done their best to care for the patient in a critical time. Awareness of anticipated death and support from healthcare professionals appear to reduce caregiver stress. The modified stress-coping framework is an effective lens for interpreting caregivers’ experiences at end of life and in the context of hastened death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Lowers
- Emory University, Palliative Care Center, 1821 Clifton Road, Suite 1016, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
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66
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Kumar V, Ankuda CK, Aldridge MD, Husain M, Ornstein KA. Family Caregiving at the End of Life and Hospice Use: A National Study of Medicare Beneficiaries. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:2288-2296. [PMID: 32602571 PMCID: PMC7718293 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Hospice care confers well-documented benefits to patients and their families, but it is underutilized. One potential reason is inadequate family support to make end-of-life decisions and care for older adults on hospice at home. We assessed the association between amount of family support and hospice use among a population of decedents and among specific illness types. DESIGN Prospective cohort study using the National Health and Aging Trends Study waves 2011 to 2017, linked to Medicare claims data. SETTING Contiguous United States. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1,868 NHATS decedents. MEASUREMENTS Outcome variable was 1 day or longer of hospice. Family caregiving intensity was measured by self-reported hours of care per week and number of caregivers. Covariates included probable dementia status and other demographic, clinical, and functional characteristics. RESULTS At the end of life, hours of family caregiving and numbers of helpers vary widely with individuals with dementia receiving the most hours of unpaid care (mean = 64.5 hours per week) and having 2.4 unpaid caregivers on average. In an adjusted analysis, older adults with cancer receiving 40 hours and more of unpaid care/week as compared with fewer than 6 hours per week were twice as likely to receive hospice care at the end of life (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.0-4.1). This association was not seen among those with dementia or among decedents in general. No significant association was found between number of caregivers and hospice use at the end of life. CONCLUSION Older adults at the end of life receive a high number of hours of help at the end of life, many from more than one caregiver, which may shape hospice access. Better understanding of disparities in hospice use can facilitate timely access to care for older adults with a serious illness. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2288-2296, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire K. Ankuda
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
| | - Melissa D. Aldridge
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
| | - Mohammed Husain
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
| | - Katherine A. Ornstein
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology
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Ornstein KA, Aldridge M, Gillezeau C, Kristensen MS, Gazibara T, Groenvold M, Thygesen LC. New antidepressant utilization pre- and post-bereavement: a population-based study of partners and adult children. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2020; 55:1261-1271. [PMID: 32185418 PMCID: PMC7494560 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-020-01857-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Bereavement is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but few studies have examined the specific timing of depression onset. This study examines the risk of developing new-onset depression in adult children and partners by month, 1 year before and after death. METHODS Using population-based registers in Denmark, we assembled a cohort of 236,000 individuals who died a natural death (2010-2016). Partners and adult children of the deceased were identified and demographic and prescription data were collected. GEE logistic regression was used to model whether the bereaved received a new antidepressant prescription around the death of their loved one across 24 time intervals (12 months before and after death). RESULTS Male and female partners had an increase in receipt of new antidepressant prescriptions in the 11 months after the death of their partner, with a peak increase 2 or 3 months after death. Partners also increased new antidepressant prescription use 2 months before death. Characteristics of the decedents including cause of death were not associated with new antidepressant prescription in the surviving partner. Adult children did not have increased odds of being prescribed new antidepressants at any time. CONCLUSION Both male and female partners have increase in new antidepressant utilization before and after the death of their partner. Our work points to the importance of supporting partners not only after the death of their partner, but also in the period before death when families may be actively engaged in caregiving for the seriously ill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Ornstein
- Department of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
| | - Melissa Aldridge
- Department of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Christina Gillezeau
- Department of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Marie S Kristensen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tatjana Gazibara
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Beograd, Serbia
| | | | - Lau C Thygesen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Phongtankuel V, Reid MC, Czaja SJ, Teresi J, Eimicke JP, Kong JX, Prigerson H, Shalev A, Dignam R, Baughn R, Adelman RD. Caregiver-Reported Quality Measures and Their Correlates in Home Hospice Care. Palliat Med Rep 2020; 1:111-118. [PMID: 32856023 PMCID: PMC7446245 DOI: 10.1089/pmr.2020.0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A majority of hospice care is delivered at home, with significant caregiver involvement. Identifying factors associated with caregiver-reported quality measures could help improve hospice care in the United States. Objectives: To identify correlates of caregiver-reported quality measures: burden, satisfaction, and quality of end-of-life (EoL) care in home hospice care. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2017 through February 2018. Setting/Subjects: A nonprofit, urban hospice organization. We recruited caregivers whose patients were discharged from home hospice care. Eligible caregiver participants had to be 18 years or older, English-speaking, and listed as a primary caregiver at the time the patient was admitted to hospice. Measures: The (1) short version of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers; (2) Family Satisfaction with Care; and (3) Caregiver Evaluation of the Quality of End-Of-Life Care. Results: Caregivers (n = 391) had a mean age of 59 years and most were female (n = 297, 76.0%), children of the patient (n = 233, 59.7%), and non-Hispanic White (n = 180, 46.0%). The mean age of home hospice patients was 83 years; a majority had a non-cancer diagnosis (n = 235, 60.1%), were female (n = 250, 63.9%), and were non-Hispanic White (n = 210, 53.7%). Higher symptom scores were significantly associated with greater caregiver burden and lower satisfaction with care; but not lower quality of EoL care. Caregivers who were less comfortable managing patient symptoms during the last week on hospice had higher caregiver burden, lower caregiver satisfaction, and lower ratings of quality of EoL care. Conclusion: Potentially modifiable symptom-related variables were correlated with caregiver-reported quality measures. Our study reinforces the important relationship between the perceived suffering/symptoms of patients and caregivers' hospice experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veerawat Phongtankuel
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - M C Reid
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sara J Czaja
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jeanne Teresi
- Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, New York, New York, USA.,Columbia University Stroud Center at New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joseph P Eimicke
- Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jian X Kong
- Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, New York, New York, USA
| | - Holly Prigerson
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ariel Shalev
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Ronald D Adelman
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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69
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Dodd S, Preston N, Payne S, Walshe C. Exploring a New Model of End-of-Life Care for Older People That Operates in the Space Between the Life World and the Healthcare System: A Qualitative Case Study. Int J Health Policy Manag 2020; 9:344-351. [PMID: 32610738 PMCID: PMC7500390 DOI: 10.15171/ijhpm.2019.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Innovative service models to facilitate end-of-life care for older people may be required to enable and bolster networks of care. The aim of this study was to understand how and why a new charitably funded service model of end-of-life care impacts upon the lives of older people. METHODS A multiple exploratory qualitative case study research strategy. Cases were 3 sites providing a new end-oflife service model for older people. The services were provided in community settings, primarily providing support in peoples own homes. Study participants included the older people receiving the end-of-life care service, their informal carers, staff providing care within the service and other stakeholders. Data collection included individual interviews with older people and informal carers at 2 time points, focus group interviews with staff and local stakeholders, nonparticipant observation of meetings, and a final cross-case deliberative panel discussion workshop. Framework analysis facilitated analysis within and across cases. RESULTS Twenty-three service users and 5 informal carers participated in individual interviews across the cases. Two focus groups were held with an additional 12 participants, and 19 people attended the deliberative panel workshop. Important elements contributing to the experience and impacts of the service included organisation, where services felt they were 'outsiders,' the focus of the services and their flexible approach; and the impacts particularly in enriching relationships and improving mental health. CONCLUSION These end-of-life care service models operated in a space between the healthcare system and the person's life world. This meant there could be ambiguity around their services, where they occupied a liminal, but important, space. These services are potentially important to older people, but should not be overly constrained or they may lose the very flexibility that enables them to have impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Dodd
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Nancy Preston
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Sheila Payne
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Catherine Walshe
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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Torres ME, Capistrant BD, Karpman H. The Effect of Medicaid Expansion on Caregiver's Quality of Life. SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 35:473-482. [PMID: 32840459 DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2020.1798836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Medicaid expansion has been shown to improve access to care, health, and finances in general populations. Until now no studies have considered how Medicaid expansion may affect informal family caregivers who are the backbone of the long term supports and services infrastructure. Family caregivers provide substantial cost savings to Medicare and Medicaid. Yet, they sustain financial, physical, and mental health strain from their caregiving role which Medicaid expansion may offset. This study evaluated the impact of Medicaid expansion on caregivers' mental health using 2015-2018 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. After adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors, caregivers in Medicaid expansion states had a significantly fewer number of poor mental health days in the previous month than caregivers in non-expansion states (ß = -0.528, CI -1.019, -0.036, p < .01). Study findings indicate that Medicaid expansion state status was protective for caregiver's mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Torres
- Smith College School for Social Work , Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Hannah Karpman
- Smith College School for Social Work , Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
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71
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Bijnsdorp FM, Pasman HRW, Boot CRL, van Hooft SM, van Staa A, Francke AL. Profiles of family caregivers of patients at the end of life at home: a Q-methodological study into family caregiver' support needs. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:51. [PMID: 32316948 PMCID: PMC7175554 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00560-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers of patients at the end of life often experience care-related burden. To prevent caregiver burden and to enhance the capacity to provide care it is important to have insight in their support needs. The purpose of this study was to identify profiles of family caregivers who provide care to patients at the end of life at home. METHODS A Q-methodological study was conducted in which family caregivers ranked 40 statements on support needs and experiences with caregiving. Thereafter they explained their ranking in an interview. By-person factor analysis was used to analyse the rankings and qualitative data was used to support the choice of profiles. A set of 41 family caregivers with a variety on background characteristics who currently or recently provided care for someone at the end of life at home were included. RESULTS Four distinct profiles were identified; profile (1) those who want appreciation and an assigned contact person; profile (2) was bipolar. The positive pole (2+) comprised those who have supportive relationships and the negative pole (2-) those who wish for supportive relationships; profile (3) those who want information and practical support, and profile (4) those who need time off. The profiles reflect different support needs and experiences with caregiving. CONCLUSIONS Family caregivers of patients at the end of life have varying support needs and one size does not fit all. The profiles are relevant for healthcare professionals and volunteers in palliative care as they provide an overview of the main support needs among family caregivers of patients near the end of life. This knowledge could help healthcare professionals giving support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femmy M Bijnsdorp
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - H Roeline W Pasman
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cécile R L Boot
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne M van Hooft
- Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - AnneLoes van Staa
- Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke L Francke
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Nivel, Netherlands institute for health services research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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72
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Ham K. Wayfinding along the Caregiving Journey: Resources for Informal Caregivers. JOURNAL OF CONSUMER HEALTH ON THE INTERNET 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15398285.2020.1753999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelli Ham
- National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Southwest Region, UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, Los Angeles, California, USA
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73
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Wolff JL, Freedman VA, Ornstein KA, Mulcahy JF, Kasper JD. Evaluation of Hospice Enrollment and Family and Unpaid Caregivers' Experiences With Health Care Workers in the Care of Older Adults During the Last Month of Life. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e203599. [PMID: 32347947 PMCID: PMC7191321 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This survey study assesses end-of-life caregivers’ experiences with health care workers during older adults’ last month of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Wolff
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Roger C. Lipitz Center for Integrated Health Care, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Katherine A. Ornstein
- Icahn School of Medicine, Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - John F. Mulcahy
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Roger C. Lipitz Center for Integrated Health Care, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Judith D. Kasper
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Roger C. Lipitz Center for Integrated Health Care, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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74
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May P, Normand C, Morrison RS. Economics of Palliative Care for Cancer: Interpreting Current Evidence, Mapping Future Priorities for Research. J Clin Oncol 2020; 38:980-986. [PMID: 32023166 DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.02294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The National Cancer Institute estimates that $154 billion will be spent on care for people with cancer in 2019, distributed across the year after diagnosis (31%), the final year of life (31%), and continuing care between those two (38%). Projections of future costs estimate persistent growth in care expenditures. Early research studies on the economics of palliative care have reported a general pattern of cost savings during inpatient hospital admissions and the end-of-life phase. Recent research has demonstrated more complex dynamics, but expanding palliative care capacity to meet clinical guidelines and population health needs seems to save costs. Quantifying these cost savings requires additional research, because there is significant variance in estimates of the effects of treatment on costs, depending on the timing of intervention, the primary diagnosis, and the overall illness burden. Because ASCO guidelines state that palliative care should be provided concurrently with other treatment from the point of diagnosis onward for all metastatic cancer, new and ambitious research is required to evaluate the cost effects of palliative care across the entire disease trajectory. We propose a series of ways to reach the guideline goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter May
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Charles Normand
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - R Sean Morrison
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, NY
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75
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May P, Roe L, McGarrigle CA, Kenny RA, Normand C. End-of-life experience for older adults in Ireland: results from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing (TILDA). BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:118. [PMID: 32059722 PMCID: PMC7023768 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-4978-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-of-life experience is a subject of significant policy interest. National longitudinal studies offer valuable opportunities to examine individual-level experiences. Ireland is an international leader in palliative and end-of-life care rankings. We aimed to describe the prevalence of modifiable problems (pain, falls, depression) in Ireland, and to evaluate associations with place of death, healthcare utilisation, and formal and informal costs in the last year of life. METHODS The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) is a nationally representative sample of over-50-year-olds, recruited in Wave 1 (2009-2010) and participating in biannual assessment. In the event of a participant's death, TILDA approaches a close relative or friend to complete a voluntary interview on end-of-life experience. We evaluated associations using multinomial logistic regression for place of death, ordinary least squares for utilisation, and generalised linear models for costs. We identified 14 independent variables for regressions from a rich set of potential predictors. Of 516 confirmed deaths between Waves 1 and 3, the analytic sample contained 375 (73%) decedents for whom proxies completed an interview. RESULTS There was high prevalence of modifiable problems pain (50%), depression (45%) and falls (41%). Those with a cancer diagnosis were more likely to die at home (relative risk ratio: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-4.8) or in an inpatient hospice (10.2; 2.7-39.2) than those without. Place of death and patterns of health care use were determined not only by clinical need, but other factors including age and household structure. Unpaid care accounted for 37% of all care received but access to this care, as well as place of death, may be adversely affected by living alone or in a rural area. Deficits in unpaid care are not balanced by higher formal care use. CONCLUSIONS Despite Ireland's well-established palliative care services, clinical need is not the sole determinant of end-of-life experience. Cancer diagnosis and access to family supports were additional key determinants. Future policy reforms should revisit persistent inequities by diagnosis, which may be mitigated through comprehensive geriatric assessment in hospitals. Further consideration of policies to support unpaid carers is also warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter May
- Centre for Health Policy & Management, Trinity College Dublin, 3-4 Foster Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,The Irish Longitudinal study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Gate, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Lorna Roe
- Centre for Health Policy & Management, Trinity College Dublin, 3-4 Foster Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.,The Irish Longitudinal study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Gate, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Christine A McGarrigle
- The Irish Longitudinal study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Gate, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- The Irish Longitudinal study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Gate, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Charles Normand
- Centre for Health Policy & Management, Trinity College Dublin, 3-4 Foster Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Policy, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
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76
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The Lived Experiences of Family Caregivers of Persons Dying in Home Hospice: Support, Advocacy, and Information Urgently Needed. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2020; 22:145-151. [PMID: 32011356 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Death in America is changing from hospital to home, which demands complex skills by family caregivers. However, information from family members about the challenges of providing home hospice care until death is scant. To understand the challenges a family caregiver confronts when he/she decides to deliver hospice care and during the actual delivery of the hospice care, we used descriptive phenomenology methods to document the experience of 18 family caregivers as they delivered home hospice care. We learned the decision to begin home hospice was made by a physician, followed frequently by family resistance and refusal to assist. Family caregiver burden is enormous, compounded by fatigue, sleeplessness, and confusion on issues such as morphine dosage and administration. The stages and process of dying, such as transition, baffled family caregivers. All family caregivers agree financial and emotion support, empathic advocacy, and affirmation of their worth are needed to sustain them to care for the dying. The peacefulness following offering a home death comes at a high price to family caregivers. Evidence is needed from a randomized controlled trial as to effectiveness of advocacy support for family caregivers to increase their resiliency and higher probability of a good death for the dying.
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Cox-Seignoret K, Maharaj RG. Unmet needs of patients with cancer in their last year of life as described by caregivers in a developing world setting: a qualitative study. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:13. [PMID: 31980019 PMCID: PMC6982385 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-0516-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care is in its infancy in most of the developing world. We set out to explore the lived experiences of families and caregivers of recently deceased cancer patients in Trinidad and Tobago and to determine the unmet needs of the patients and what recommendations could be derived to improve the current services. METHODS A phenomenological approach with purposeful sampling was used. Participants were referred by key health professionals. Face-to-face interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, with analysis and data collection occurring concurrently. Thematic content analysis was used to determine common domains, themes and sub-themes. RESULTS Interviews were completed with 15 caregivers. All were spouses or children of the deceased. Ages of the deceased ranged from 43 to 93, the average being 65.5 years. The deceased experienced a variety of cancers including lung, colorectal and oesophageal. Unmet needs were identified under 4 domains of institutions, community, the family unit and the wider society. Institutional unmet needs were delayed diagnosis and treatment and poor inter-institution coordination. Medical and nursing care failed in the areas of health care providers' attitudes, pain management and communication. The family unit lacked physical and psychosocial support for the caregiver and financial aid for the family unit. Societal needs were for public education to address myths and cultural beliefs around cancer. CONCLUSION There is need for systemic interventions to improve the care of those dying from cancer in Trinidad and Tobago. Stakeholders need to commit to palliative care as a public health priority, implementing education, planning services and mobilizing community resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rohan G. Maharaj
- The Unit of Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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78
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Luth EA, Pristavec T. Do Caregiver Experiences Shape End-of-Life Care Perceptions? Burden, Benefits, and Care Quality Assessment. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 59:77-85. [PMID: 31419541 PMCID: PMC6942199 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Researchers, hospices, and government agencies administer standardized questionnaires to caregivers for assessing end-of-life care quality. Caregiving experiences may influence end-of-life care quality reports, which have implications for caregiver outcomes, and are a clinical and policy priority. OBJECTIVES This study aims to determine whether and how caregivers' end-of-life care assessments depend on their burden and benefit perceptions. METHODS This study analyzes data from 391 caregivers in the 2011 National Study of Caregiving and their Medicare beneficiary care recipients from the 2011-2016 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Caregivers assessed five end-of-life care aspects for decedents. Logistic regression was used and predicted probabilities of caregivers positively or negatively assessing end-of-life care based on their burden and benefit experiences calculated. Analyses adjusted for caregiver and care recipient demographic and health characteristics. RESULTS No or minimal caregiving burden is associated with ≥0.70 probability of caregivers reporting they were always informed about the recipient's condition and that the dying person's care needs were always met, regardless of perceived benefits. High perceived caregiving benefit is associated with ≥0.80 probability of giving such reports, even when perceiving high burden. CONCLUSION Caregiver burden and benefit operate alongside one another regarding two end-of-life care evaluations, even when years elapse between caregiver experience reports and care recipient death. This suggests that caregiver interventions reducing burden and bolstering benefits may have a positive and lasting impact on end-of-life care assessments.
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79
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Ornstein KA, Liu B, Schwartz RM, Smith CB, Alpert N, Taioli E. Cancer in the context of aging: Health characteristics, function and caregiving needs prior to a new cancer diagnosis in a national sample of older adults. J Geriatr Oncol 2020; 11:75-81. [PMID: 30952516 PMCID: PMC6774923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As cancer trajectories change due to screening, earlier diagnoses, living longer with illnesses, and new successful treatments, cancer is increasingly a disease of older adults. While cancer diagnoses themselves are very stressful for patients and families, little is known about the health status, functional limitations, and social resources of older patients before they face a new cancer diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a national survey of older Medicare beneficiaries linked to Medicare claims data, we examined the health characteristics, functional limitations and social and financial resources of older adults before a new diagnosis of lung, breast, prostate or colorectal cancer and how these factors vary by race/ethnicity. RESULTS We identified 274 community-dwelling older adults with incident cancer diagnoses: lung (30.6%), breast (20.3%), prostate (30.8%), and colorectal (18.3%) representing 1,202,920 older Medicare beneficiaries. The sample was 81% Non-Hispanic White, 10% Non-Hispanic Black, and 9% Hispanic/Other. Before diagnosis, patients had an average of three comorbidities and 29% of patients reported poor/fair health. Almost one-third were living alone, 13% received help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL), 11% had probable dementia and nearly one in ten already received financial help from family members. DISCUSSION Before an older adult has ever been diagnosed with a major cancer, many face significant health and financial challenges and are dependent on others for care. These needs vary based on cancer type and race/ethnicity and must be considered as clinicians develop individualized care plans for patients alongside caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Ornstein
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America; Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America.
| | - Bian Liu
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Rebecca M Schwartz
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, NY, United States of America
| | - Cardinale B Smith
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, NY, United States of America
| | - Naomi Alpert
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Emanuela Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
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80
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Dionne-Odom JN, Ornstein KA, Kent EE. What do family caregivers know about palliative care? Results from a national survey. Palliat Support Care 2019; 17:643-649. [PMID: 30957733 PMCID: PMC6783327 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951519000154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite their key role in caring for individuals with serious, chronic illness, there have been no national studies examining family caregiver awareness and perceptions of palliative care. Hence, our objectives were to ascertain level of knowledge of palliative care among U.S. family caregivers and describe demographic variation in awareness and perceptions of palliative care. METHOD Using the 2018 National Cancer Institute Health Information National Trends Survey, we identified unpaid family caregivers caring or making healthcare decisions for someone with a medical, behavioral, disability, or other condition. Respondents were asked about their awareness of the term "palliative care" and, if aware, how much they agreed with statements representing common (mis)perceptions about palliative care (e.g., "Palliative care is the same as hospice"). RESULT More than one-half of caregivers (55%) had "never heard" of palliative care; 19.2% knew what palliative care was and "could explain it to someone else." In adjusted models, racial minorities (vs. whites) and those without a college degree were less likely to have heard of palliative care. Among those aware of palliative care, ~40% "strongly" or "somewhat" agreed that "Palliative care is the same as hospice"; another 10.5% "didn't know." Similarly, 40% reported that "When I think of palliative care, I automatically think of death." SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS One-half of family caregivers of adults with serious chronic illness have never heard of palliative care. Even among those who had heard of palliative care, the majority do not distinguish it from hospice care and death. Given the role family caregivers may play in decisions to access palliative care, public messaging efforts are needed to clarify palliative care services in a way that is patient- and family-centered.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Nicholas Dionne-Odom
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL
- Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, UAB Health System, Birmingham, AL
| | - Katherine A. Ornstein
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Erin E. Kent
- Outcomes Research Branch, Healthcare Delivery Research Program, Division of Cancer Control & Population Science, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
- ICF International, Fairfax, VA
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81
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Schwartz RM, Bevilacqua KG, Alpert N, Liu B, Dharmarajan KV, Ornstein KA, Taioli E. Educational Attainment and Quality of Life among Older Adults before a Lung Cancer Diagnosis. J Palliat Med 2019; 23:498-505. [PMID: 31702439 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Demographic and contextual factors are associated with quality of life (QoL) in older adults and prediagnosis QoL among older adults has important implications for supportive care in older cancer patients. Objective: To examine whether lower educational attainment is associated with poorer QoL among community dwelling older adults just before their diagnosis of lung cancer in a nationally representative sample. Design: This study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) dataset, which provides cancer registry data linked with survey data for Medicare Advantage enrollees. Subjects: Adults 65 years and older at time of diagnosis with first or only primary lung cancer and with at least one survey before their cancer diagnosis. Measurements: Level of education attained was categorized as less than high school (<HS) or at least a high school diploma (≥HS). QoL was calculated based on individual subscale scores from the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) until 2006 (Veteran's RAND 12-Item Survey [VR-12] after 2006). Demographic covariates as well as number of comorbidities were adjusted for in multivariable models. Results: Higher education was positively associated with prediagnosis mental and physical QoL. Other factors associated with lower QoL were Medicaid status and number of comorbidities. Conclusions: Particular attention should focus on identifying and addressing QoL needs among vulnerable older adults to bolster QoL to mitigate its potential impact on prognosis following a lung cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Schwartz
- Northwell Health Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, New York.,Institute of Translational Epidemiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Population Health Science and Policy, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kristin G Bevilacqua
- Northwell Health Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, New York
| | - Naomi Alpert
- Institute of Translational Epidemiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Population Health Science and Policy, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Bian Liu
- Institute of Translational Epidemiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Population Health Science and Policy, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kavita V Dharmarajan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Katherine A Ornstein
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Emanuela Taioli
- Institute of Translational Epidemiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Population Health Science and Policy, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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82
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Boogaard JA, van der Steen JT, de Boer AH, van Groenou MIB. How Is End-of-Life Care With and Without Dementia Associated With Informal Caregivers' Outcomes? Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2019; 36:1008-1015. [PMID: 30983373 PMCID: PMC6719397 DOI: 10.1177/1049909119836932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care for older people with life-limiting diseases often involves informal caregivers, but the palliative care literature seldom focuses on the negative and positive aspects of informal caregiving. OBJECTIVE To assess the association of proximity to end of life (EOL) and dementia caregiving with informal caregivers' burden of care and positive experiences and explain differences in outcomes. DESIGN Data on 1267 informal caregivers of community-dwelling older people were selected from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey and analyzed using analysis of variance and multivariable regression analyses. MEASUREMENTS The Self-Perceived Pressure from Informal Care Scale and the Positive Experiences Scale were administered to assess caregiver burden and positive experiences with providing care. RESULTS Dementia care, both at EOL and not at EOL, was associated with the most caregiver burden relative to regular care. Dementia care not at EOL was associated with the fewest positive experiences, and EOL care not in dementia with the most positive experiences. Only the differences in burden of care could be explained by variables related to stressors based on Pearlin stress-coping model. CONCLUSIONS Informal caregivers of people with dementia are at risk not only of high caregiver burden but also of missing out on positive experiences associated with caregiving at EOL. Future research should examine how dementia-related factors reduce positive caregiving experiences, in order to make palliative care a positive reality for those providing informal care to community-dwelling persons with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannie A. Boogaard
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of General Practice & Nursing Home Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alice H. de Boer
- Netherlands Institute for Social Research, Hague, The Netherlands
- Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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83
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Abstract
Researchers have established associations between the stressors of providing informal care and caregiver health risks. Despite the negative consequences, researchers have identified the existence of protective factors that have the potential to buffer or prevent stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between self-efficacy and stress in adult informal caregivers providing end-of-life care. This cross-sectional, associational study analyzed data from questionnaires completed by adult informal caregivers providing end-of-life care for an adult in North Texas. Questionnaires provided measures of self-efficacy, stress, and caregiver perceived health. Findings indicated caregiver self-efficacy globally had a significant correlation with stress, whereas caregivers' confidence in caring for themselves had a significant negative relationship with perceived stress. Specifically, study findings indicate caregivers with greater confidence in managing demands of caregiving have lower levels of stress, and caregivers with greater confidence in caring for themselves, specifically, have lower levels of perceived stress. Study findings highlight the importance of caregivers' self-care needs. Health care practitioners should recognize and intervene to support caregivers' self-care needs in order to prevent additional, needless health problems in this population.
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84
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Miller KD, Nogueira L, Mariotto AB, Rowland JH, Yabroff KR, Alfano CM, Jemal A, Kramer JL, Siegel RL. Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2019. CA Cancer J Clin 2019; 69:363-385. [PMID: 31184787 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2827] [Impact Index Per Article: 565.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of cancer survivors continues to increase in the United States because of the growth and aging of the population as well as advances in early detection and treatment. To assist the public health community in better serving these individuals, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute collaborate every 3 years to estimate cancer prevalence in the United States using incidence and survival data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries; vital statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics; and population projections from the US Census Bureau. Current treatment patterns based on information in the National Cancer Data Base are presented for the most prevalent cancer types. Cancer-related and treatment-related short-term, long-term, and late health effects are also briefly described. More than 16.9 million Americans (8.1 million males and 8.8 million females) with a history of cancer were alive on January 1, 2019; this number is projected to reach more than 22.1 million by January 1, 2030 based on the growth and aging of the population alone. The 3 most prevalent cancers in 2019 are prostate (3,650,030), colon and rectum (776,120), and melanoma of the skin (684,470) among males, and breast (3,861,520), uterine corpus (807,860), and colon and rectum (768,650) among females. More than one-half (56%) of survivors were diagnosed within the past 10 years, and almost two-thirds (64%) are aged 65 years or older. People with a history of cancer have unique medical and psychosocial needs that require proactive assessment and management by follow-up care providers. Although there are growing numbers of tools that can assist patients, caregivers, and clinicians in navigating the various phases of cancer survivorship, further evidence-based resources are needed to optimize care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leticia Nogueira
- Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Angela B Mariotto
- Surveillance Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - K Robin Yabroff
- Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
- Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joan L Kramer
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rebecca L Siegel
- Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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Wen FH, Chou WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Hsieh CH, Shen WC, Tang ST. Associations of preloss and postloss factors with severe depressive symptoms and quality of life over the first 2 years of bereavement for family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients. Psychooncology 2019; 28:2157-2165. [PMID: 31418502 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers carry heavy end-of-life (EOL) caregiving burdens, with their physical and psychological well-being threatened from caregiving to bereavement. However, caregiving burden has rarely been examined as a risk factor for bereavement adjustment to disentangle the wear-and-tear vs relief models of bereavement. Objective/Methods Preloss and postloss variables associated with severe depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) for 201 terminally ill cancer patients' caregivers over their first 2 years of bereavement were simultaneously evaluated using multivariate hierarchical linear modeling. Severe depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score > 16) and QOL (physical and mental component summaries of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey) were measured 1, 3, 6, 13, 18, and 24 months postloss. RESULTS Caregivers' likelihood of severe depressive symptoms and mental health-related QOL improved significantly from the second year and throughout the first 2 years of bereavement, respectively, whereas physical health-related QOL remained steady over time. Higher subjective caregiving burden and postloss concurrent greater social support and better QOL were associated with bereaved caregivers' lower likelihood of severe depressive symptoms. Bereaved caregivers' mental health-related QOL was facilitated and impeded by concurrent greater perceived social support and severe depressive symptoms, respectively. CONCLUSION Severe depressive symptoms and mental health-related QOL improved substantially, whereas physical health-related QOL remained steady over the first 2 years of bereavement for cancer patients' caregivers. Timely referrals to adequate bereavement services should be promoted for at-risk bereaved caregivers, thus addressing their support needs and facilitating their bereavement adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.,Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.,Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.,Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.,Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.,Chang Gung University, School of Nursing, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
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86
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Kent EE, Mollica MA, Buckenmaier S, Wilder Smith A. The Characteristics of Informal Cancer Caregivers in the United States. Semin Oncol Nurs 2019; 35:328-332. [DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Storick V, O’Herlihy A, Abdelhafeez S, Ahmed R, May P. Improving palliative and end-of-life care with machine learning and routine data: a rapid review. HRB Open Res 2019. [DOI: 10.12688/hrbopenres.12923.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Improving end-of-life (EOL) care is a priority worldwide as this population experiences poor outcomes and accounts disproportionately for costs. In clinical practice, physician judgement is the core method of identifying EOL care needs but has important limitations. Machine learning (ML) is a subset of artificial intelligence advancing capacity to identify patterns and make predictions using large datasets. ML approaches have the potential to improve clinical decision-making and policy design, but there has been no systematic assembly of current evidence. Methods: We conducted a rapid review, searching systematically seven databases from inception to December 31st, 2018: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, WOS, SCOPUS and ECONLIT. We included peer-reviewed studies that used ML approaches on routine data to improve palliative and EOL care for adults. Our specified outcomes were survival, quality of life (QoL), place of death, costs, and receipt of high-intensity treatment near end of life. We did not search grey literature and excluded material that was not a peer-reviewed article. Results: The database search identified 426 citations. We discarded 162 duplicates and screened 264 unique title/abstracts, of which 22 were forwarded for full text review. Three papers were included, 18 papers were excluded and one full text was sought but unobtainable. One paper predicted six-month mortality, one paper predicted 12-month mortality and one paper cross-referenced predicted 12-month mortality with healthcare spending. ML-informed models outperformed logistic regression in predicting mortality but poor prognosis is a weak driver of costs. Models using only routine administrative data had limited benefit from ML methods. Conclusion: While ML can in principle help to identify those at risk of adverse outcomes and inappropriate treatment near EOL, applications to policy and practice are formative. Future research must not only expand scope to other outcomes and longer timeframes, but also engage with individual preferences and ethical challenges.
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Storick V, O’Herlihy A, Abdelhafeez S, Ahmed R, May P. Improving palliative and end-of-life care with machine learning and routine data: a rapid review. HRB Open Res 2019; 2:13. [PMID: 32002512 PMCID: PMC6973530 DOI: 10.12688/hrbopenres.12923.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Improving end-of-life (EOL) care is a priority worldwide as this population experiences poor outcomes and accounts disproportionately for costs. In clinical practice, physician judgement is the core method of identifying EOL care needs but has important limitations. Machine learning (ML) is a subset of artificial intelligence advancing capacity to identify patterns and make predictions using large datasets. ML approaches have the potential to improve clinical decision-making and policy design, but there has been no systematic assembly of current evidence. Methods: We conducted a rapid review, searching systematically seven databases from inception to December 31st, 2018: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, WOS, SCOPUS and ECONLIT. We included peer-reviewed studies that used ML approaches on routine data to improve palliative and EOL care for adults. Our specified outcomes were survival, quality of life (QoL), place of death, costs, and receipt of high-intensity treatment near end of life. We did not search grey literature and excluded material that was not a peer-reviewed article. Results: The database search identified 426 citations. We discarded 162 duplicates and screened 264 unique title/abstracts, of which 22 were forwarded for full text review. Three papers were included, 18 papers were excluded and one full text was sought but unobtainable. One paper predicted six-month mortality, one paper predicted 12-month mortality and one paper cross-referenced predicted 12-month mortality with healthcare spending. ML-informed models outperformed logistic regression in predicting mortality but poor prognosis is a weak driver of costs. Models using only routine administrative data had limited benefit from ML methods. Conclusion: While ML can in principle help to identify those at risk of adverse outcomes and inappropriate treatment near EOL, applications to policy and practice are formative. Future research must not only expand scope to other outcomes and longer timeframes, but also engage with individual preferences and ethical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Storick
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02, Ireland
| | - Aoife O’Herlihy
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02, Ireland
| | | | - Rakesh Ahmed
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02, Ireland
| | - Peter May
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02, Ireland
- Centre for Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02, Ireland
- The Irish Longitudinal study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02, Ireland
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To conceptualize the pathways and assess current evidence for the relationship between caregiver well-being and the quality of the cancer patient's care. DATA SOURCES Qualitative, quantitative, and theoretical literature and official reports. CONCLUSION Caregiver well-being has both direct and indirect effects on the quality of cancer care, including care received from the health care team, from the caregiver themselves, and in relation to patients' own self-management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Supporting caregivers has tangible consequences with regard to the quality of cancer care on multiple levels, with direct implications for patient outcomes. Nurses have a key role in providing psychosocial care to patients and their caregivers, and in supporting system-level change.
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90
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Baquet-Simpson A, Spettell CM, Freeman AN, Bates AM, Paz HL, Mirsky R, Knecht DB, Brennan TA. Aetna's Compassionate Care Program: Sustained Value for Our Members with Advanced Illness. J Palliat Med 2019; 22:1324-1330. [PMID: 31180268 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2018.0359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In 2004, Aetna, a national health insurer, launched the Aetna Compassionate Care Program (ACCP) targeting members diagnosed with an advanced illness with a view to increase access to palliative care and hospice services. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of ACCP on health care utilization and hospice enrollment among enrolled members. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study comparing participants in ACCP to a matched control group using a propensity score method. The study group consisted of Aetna Medicare Advantage members who participated in the ACCP between January 2014 and June 2015. Potential control group members were those who were not identified by the predictive model nor were referred to the ACCP program through other means. The primary outcomes of interest were hospice use measured as percent of members electing hospice and median number of days in hospice; health care utilization and medical costs measured as rates and medical costs associated with acute inpatient admissions, emergency room, primary care, and specialty visits in the 30 and 90 days before death. Results: Participants in the ACCP program were 36% more likely to enroll in hospice (79% vs. 58%, p < 0.0001) and had reduced acute inpatient medical costs ($4169 vs. $5863, p < 0.0001) driven primarily by fewer inpatient admissions (860 vs. 1017, p < 0.0001) in the last 90 days of life. Conclusions: Advanced illness case management programs such as ACCP can improve access to hospice and improve patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary admissions in the last 90 days of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Harold L Paz
- Aetna, a CVS Health Company, Hartford, Connecticut
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91
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Ornstein KA, Wolff JL, Bollens-Lund E, Rahman OK, Kelley AS. Spousal Caregivers Are Caregiving Alone In The Last Years Of Life. Health Aff (Millwood) 2019; 38:964-972. [PMID: 31158025 PMCID: PMC6760240 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Caregiving in the last years of life is associated with increased depression and negative health outcomes for surviving spouses, many of whom are themselves in poor health. Yet it is unclear how often spouses are caregiving alone, how they differ from supported spouses, and whether lack of support affects postbereavement outcomes. We hypothesized that spouses who were solo caregivers-that is, the only caregivers (paid or unpaid) who provided assistance with a spouse's self-care or household activities-would experience more depression after bereavement than supported spouses would. Using information from the Health and Retirement Study, we found that 55 percent of the spouses of community-dwelling married people with disability were solo caregivers. Solo caregiving was even common among people who cared for spouses with dementia and those with adult children living close by. Bereavement outcomes did not differ between solo and supported caregiving spouses. Caregiving spouses are often isolated and may benefit from greater support, particularly during the final years before bereavement. While some state and federal policy proposals aim to systematically recognize and assess caregivers, further innovations in care delivery and reimbursement are needed to adequately support seriously ill older adults and their caregivers. Ultimately, the focus of serious illness care must be expanded from the patient to the family unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Ornstein
- Katherine A. Ornstein ( ) is an assistant professor in the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City
| | - Jennifer L Wolff
- Jennifer L. Wolff is a professor of public health at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Evan Bollens-Lund
- Evan Bollens-Lund is an analyst in the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Omari-Khalid Rahman
- Omari-Khalid Rahman is an analyst in the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Amy S Kelley
- Amy S. Kelley is an associate professor in the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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92
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Turnbull AE, Bosslet GT, Kross EK. Aligning use of intensive care with patient values in the USA: past, present, and future. THE LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2019; 7:626-638. [PMID: 31122892 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(19)30087-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
For more than three decades, both medical professionals and the public have worried that many patients receive non-beneficial care in US intensive care units during their final months of life. Some of these patients wish to avoid severe cognitive and physical impairments, and protracted deaths in the hospital setting. Recognising when intensive care will not restore a person's health, and helping patients and families embrace goals related to symptom relief, interpersonal connection, or spiritual fulfilment are central challenges of critical care practice in the USA. We review trials from the past decade of interventions designed to address these challenges, and present reasons why evaluating, comparing, and implementing these interventions have been difficult. Careful scrutiny of the design and interpretation of past trials can show why improving goal concordant care has been so elusive, and suggest new directions for the next generation of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Turnbull
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Outcomes After Critical Illness and Surgery Group, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Gabriel T Bosslet
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, Occupational, and Sleep Medicine, and Charles Warren Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Erin K Kross
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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93
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Bijnsdorp FM, Pasman HRW, Francke AL, Evans N, Peeters CFW, Broese van Groenou MI. Who provides care in the last year of life? A description of care networks of community-dwelling older adults in the Netherlands. BMC Palliat Care 2019; 18:41. [PMID: 31092227 PMCID: PMC6521417 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-019-0425-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home-based care networks differ in size and composition, but little is known about the characteristics of care networks for those nearing the end of their lives. This study aimed to identify different types of home-based care networks of community-dwelling older adults in the Netherlands and to assess the association between care network type and the health status and socio-demographic characteristics of care recipients. METHODS/DESIGN We used data from participants of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (2001-2013) with chronic diseases or functional limitations who died within 12 months of their last interview and received home based personal and/or household care (n = 146). Latent Class Analysis was used to model distinct end-of-life care networks among this pooled cross-section of older people whose characteristics imply care needs. The Akaike information criterion was used to determine the optimal model. Associations between network type and care recipient characteristics were explored using conditional inference trees. RESULTS We identified four types of care networks; a partner network (19%) in which care was mainly provided by partners, with little care from private caregivers or professionals, a mixed network (25%) in which care was provided by a combination of children, professionals and/or other family members, a private network (15%) in which only privately paid care was provided, and a professional network (40%) in which care was mainly provided by publicly paid professionals, sometimes with additional care from family or privately paid caregivers. Care networks near the end of life showed similar characteristics to those identified for older people more generally, but care seemed to be more intensive in the last year of life compared to the years preceding it. End-of-life care networks were mostly related to age, educational level and partner status. Formal care substitutes informal care whenever there is no partner or child present and able to provide care. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that personal and household care can be quite intensive in the last year of life, especially for partner caregivers. To prevent caregiver burden, it is important that professionals make sure partner caregivers receive adequate and timely support to cope with the care situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femmy M. Bijnsdorp
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, De Boelelaan, 1117 Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - H. Roeline W. Pasman
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, De Boelelaan, 1117 Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anneke L. Francke
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, De Boelelaan, 1117 Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Otterstraat, 118 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie Evans
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, De Boelelaan, 1117 Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Carel F. W. Peeters
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan, 1117 Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Ornstein K, Garrido MM, Siu AL, Bollens-Lund E, Rahman OK, Kelley AS. An Examination of Downstream Effects of Bereavement on Healthcare Utilization for Surviving Spouses in a National Sample of Older Adults. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2019; 37:585-596. [PMID: 30864065 PMCID: PMC6465109 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-019-00787-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While bereavement is associated with increased mortality, it is unclear how bereaved families utilize the healthcare system after the death of their loved ones. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the association between bereavement and healthcare expenditures for surviving spouses. METHODS We used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative cohort study of older adults linked to Medicare claims. We determined a spouse's total Medicare expenditures 2 years before and after their partner's death across six biennial interview waves. Using coarsened exact matching, we created a comparison group of non-bereaved dyads. Costs were wage index- and inflation-adjusted to 2017 dollars. We used generalized linear models and difference-in-differences (DID) analysis to calculate the average marginal effects of bereavement on Medicare spending by gender. We also examined subgroup differences based on caregiver status, cause of death, and length of terminal illness. RESULTS Our sample consisted of 941 bereaved dyads and a comparison group of 8899 matched dyads. Surviving female spouses (68% of the sample) had a $3500 increase in spending 2 years after death (p < 0.05). Using DID analyses, bereavement was associated with a $625 quarterly increase in Medicare expenditures over 2 years for women. There was no significant increase in post-death spending for male bereaved surviving spouses. Results were consistent for spouses who survived at least 2 years after the death of their spouse (70% of the sample) CONCLUSIONS: Bereavement is associated with increased healthcare spending for women regardless of their caregiving status, the cause of death, or length of terminal illness. Further study is required to examine why men and women have different patterns of healthcare spending relative to the death of their spouses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Ornstein
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1070, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, , Ph: 212-659-5555/ F: 212-849-2566
| | - Melissa M. Garrido
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston University School of Public Health, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, , 617-819-5198
| | - Albert L. Siu
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1070, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, , Ph: 212-241-4290
| | - Evan Bollens-Lund
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1070, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, , Ph: 212-241-3160
| | - Omari-Khalid Rahman
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1070, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, , Ph: 212-241-3160
| | - Amy S. Kelley
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1070, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, , Ph: 212-241-1446
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Levy C, Abbott J. Two Physicians' Plan for the Possibility of Developing Dementia. J Palliat Med 2019; 22:116-120. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2018.0628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cari Levy
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
- Center for Bioethics and Humanities, CO Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
| | - Jean Abbott
- Center for Bioethics and Humanities, CO Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
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Vick JB, Ornstein KA, Szanton SL, Dy SM, Wolff JL. Does Caregiving Strain Increase as Patients With and Without Dementia Approach the End of Life? J Pain Symptom Manage 2019; 57:199-208.e2. [PMID: 30453054 PMCID: PMC6348024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Family caregivers play critical and demanding roles in the care of persons with dementia through the end of life. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to determine whether caregiving strain increases for dementia caregivers as older adults approach the end of life, and secondarily, whether this association differs for nondementia caregivers. METHODS Participants included a nationally representative sample of community-living older adults receiving help with self-care or indoor mobility and their primary caregivers (3422 dyads). Older adults' death within 12 months of survey was assessed from linked Medicare enrollment files. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between dementia and end-of-life status and a composite measure of caregiving strain (range: 0-9, using a cut point of 5 to define "high" strain) after comprehensively adjusting for other older adult and caregiver factors. RESULTS The prevalence of dementia in our sample was 30.1%; 13.2% of the sample died within 12 months. The proportion of caregivers who experienced high strain ranged from a low of 13.5% among nondementia, non-end-of-life caregivers to a high of 35.0% among dementia caregivers of older adults who died within 12 months. Among dementia caregivers, the odds of high caregiving strain were nearly twice as high (aOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.10-3.45) for those who were assisting older adults nearing end of life. Among nondementia caregivers, providing care near the end of life was not associated with high strain. CONCLUSION Increased strain toward the end of life is particularly notable for dementia caregivers. Interventions are needed to address the needs of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith B Vick
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Edward D. Miller Research Building, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| | - Katherine A Ornstein
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sarah L Szanton
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sydney M Dy
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer L Wolff
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Kent EE, Dionne-Odom JN. Population-Based Profile of Mental Health and Support Service Need Among Family Caregivers of Adults With Cancer. J Oncol Pract 2018; 15:e122-e131. [PMID: 30496020 DOI: 10.1200/jop.18.00522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined associations between caregiving intensity and mental health among cancer caregivers at the population level and potential moderation by an actionable intervention target, support service needs. METHODS Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System survey data (2015) from caregivers of adult patients with cancer was analyzed. Caregiving intensity included hours per week caregiving (high, > 20; low, ≤ 20) and caregiving duration (long, > 2 years; short, ≤ 2 years). Mental health was reported as number of mentally unhealthy days (MUDs) in the past 30. Support service needs comprised caregiving classes, service access, support groups, counseling, and respite care. Multivariable linear regression models were performed adjusting for sociodemographics and sampling weights. RESULTS A total of 1,831 caregivers were included in the study, representing approximately 1.1 million cancer caregivers in the 18 US states, distributed with the following intensity: 122 (8.3%) caregivers reported care at high hours/long duration, 213 (13.1%) high hours/short duration, 329 (18.4%) low hours/long duration, and 910 (60.2%) low hours/short duration. Mean MUDs was 6 (SE, 0.5). The highest reported unmet service need was help with service access (48.4%). Higher caregiving intensity and support service need were associated with more MUDs ( P < .05), with a significant interaction ( P = .02) between caregiving intensity and unmet support service needs. High hour/long duration caregivers reporting any unmet needs had a mean of 15 versus 8 MUDs for those with no unmet needs. CONCLUSION High-intensity cancer caregiving was associated with poor mental health, especially for those reporting support service needs. Developing strategies to optimize support service provision for high-intensity cancer caregivers is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Kent
- 1 National Cancer Institute, Rockland, MD.,2 ICF, Fairfax, VA
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98
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O'Hanlon CE, Walling AM, Okeke E, Stevenson S, Wenger NS. A Framework to Guide Economic Analysis of Advance Care Planning. J Palliat Med 2018; 21:1480-1485. [PMID: 30096252 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2018.0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advance care planning (ACP) is fundamental to guiding medical care at the end of life. Understanding the economic impact of ACP is critical to implementation, but most economic evaluations of ACP focus on only a few actors, such as hospitals. OBJECTIVE To develop a framework for understanding and quantifying the economic effects of ACP, particularly its distributional consequences, for use in economic evaluations. DESIGN Literature review of economic analyses of ACP and related costs to estimate magnitude and direction of costs and benefits for each actor and how data on these costs and benefits could be obtained or estimated. RESULTS ACP can lead to more efficient allocation of resources by reducing low-value care and reallocating resources to high-value care, and can increase welfare by aligning care to patient preferences. This economic framework considers the costs and benefits of ACP that accrue to or are borne by six actors: the patient, the patient's family and caregivers, healthcare providers, acute care settings, subacute and home care settings, and payers. Program implementation costs and nonhealthcare costs, such as time costs borne by patients and caregivers, are included. Findings suggest that out-of-pocket costs for patients and families will likely change if subacute or home care is substituted for acute care, and subacute care utilization is likely to increase while primary healthcare providers and acute care settings may experience heterogeneous effects. CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive economic evaluation of ACP should consider how costs and benefits accrue to different actors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E O'Hanlon
- 1 Pardee RAND Graduate School , RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California
| | - Anne M Walling
- 2 Department of Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California.,3 Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California.,4 RAND Health, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California
| | | | - Sharon Stevenson
- 6 Bellweather Care, Inc. and Okapi Venture Capital, Laguna Beach, California
| | - Neil S Wenger
- 3 Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California.,4 RAND Health, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California
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99
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Ornstein KA, Garrido MM, Siu AL, Bollens‐Lund E, Langa KM, Kelley AS. Impact of In-Hospital Death on Spending for Bereaved Spouses. Health Serv Res 2018; 53 Suppl 1:2696-2717. [PMID: 29488621 PMCID: PMC6056590 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine how patients' location of death relates to health care utilization and spending for surviving spouses. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2000-2012 linked to the Dartmouth Atlas and Medicare claims data. STUDY DESIGN This was an observational study. We matched bereaved spouses whose spouses died in a hospital to those whose spouses died outside the hospital using propensity scores based on decedent and spouse demographic and clinical characteristics, care preferences, and regional practice patterns. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We identified 1,348 HRS decedents with surviving spouses. We linked HRS data from each dyad with Medicare claims and regional characteristics. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In multivariable models, bereaved spouses of decedents who died in the hospital had $3,106 higher Medicare spending 12 months postdeath (p = .04) compared to those whose spouses died outside a hospital. Those surviving spouses were also significantly more likely to have an ED visit (OR = 1.5; p < .01) and hospital admission (OR = 1.4; p = .02) in the year after their spouse's in-hospital death. Increased Medicare spending for surviving spouses persisted through the 24-month period postdeath ($5,310; p = .02). CONCLUSIONS Bereaved spouses of decedents who died in the hospital had significantly greater Medicare spending and health care utilization themselves after their spouses' death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Ornstein
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Melissa M. Garrido
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical CenterBronxNY
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Albert L. Siu
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Evan Bollens‐Lund
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Kenneth M. Langa
- Department of Internal MedicineVeterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management ResearchInstitute for Social ResearchInstitute for Healthcare Policy and InnovationUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
| | - Amy S. Kelley
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
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100
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Dunbar SB, Khavjou OA, Bakas T, Hunt G, Kirch RA, Leib AR, Morrison RS, Poehler DC, Roger VL, Whitsel LP. Projected Costs of Informal Caregiving for Cardiovascular Disease: 2015 to 2035: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2018; 137:e558-e577. [DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Introduction:
In a recent report, the American Heart Association estimated that medical costs and productivity losses of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are expected to grow from $555 billion in 2015 to $1.1 trillion in 2035. Although the burden is significant, the estimate does not include the costs of family, informal, or unpaid caregiving provided to patients with CVD. In this analysis, we estimated projections of costs of informal caregiving attributable to CVD for 2015 to 2035.
Methods:
We used data from the 2014 Health and Retirement Survey to estimate hours of informal caregiving for individuals with CVD by age/sex/race using a zero-inflated binomial model and controlling for sociodemographic factors and health conditions. Costs of informal caregiving were estimated separately for hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and other heart disease. We analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 16 731 noninstitutionalized adults ≥54 years of age. The value of caregiving hours was monetized by the use of home health aide workers’ wages. The per-person costs were multiplied by census population counts to estimate nation-level costs and to be consistent with other American Heart Association analyses of burden of CVD, and the costs were projected from 2015 through 2035, assuming that within each age/sex/racial group, CVD prevalence and caregiving hours remain constant.
Results:
The costs of informal caregiving for patients with CVD were estimated to be $61 billion in 2015 and are projected to increase to $128 billion in 2035. Costs of informal caregiving of patients with stroke constitute more than half of the total costs of CVD informal caregiving ($31 billion in 2015 and $66 billion in 2035). By age, costs are the highest among those 65 to 79 years of age in 2015 but are expected to be surpassed by costs among those ≥80 years of age by 2035. Costs of informal caregiving for patients with CVD represent an additional 11% of medical and productivity costs attributable to CVD.
Conclusions:
The burden of informal caregiving for patients with CVD is significant; accounting for these costs increases total CVD costs to $616 billion in 2015 and $1.2 trillion in 2035. These estimates have important research and policy implications, and they may be used to guide policy development to reduce the burden of CVD on patients and their caregivers.
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